Medication Assistant, Certified, Assisted Living

About the Role

The Medication Assistant (MA) serves as a caregiver who provides resident-centered nursing care and daily living assistance to assigned residents under the supervision of a charge nurse.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver age-appropriate care related to the physical and psychological needs of the resident per plan of care.
• Provide assistance with basic health care needs, including daily living activities such as bathing, toileting, grooming, dressing/undressing, obtaining and recording vital signs, and providing psycho-social support and other personal care.
• Assist residents in transferring, re-positioning, and walking using correct and appropriate transfer techniques and equipment.
• Provide range of motion and passive exercises.
• Complete tasks related to food preparation and dining, creating a positive dining experience.
• Assist residents with meals and snacks; provide water and supplements as appropriate.
• Administer prescribed medications as delegated by a licensed nurse and within their scope of practice.
• Document outcomes related to resident care, medication administration, behavior, activity, and dietary.
• Communicate changing condition, medication follow-up, and care-related concerns/responses to the charge nurse.
• Collect non-invasive body fluid specimens and gather vital signs.
• Provide housekeeping and laundry services to assist residents with keeping living areas clean and operational.
• Provide assistance and documentation with wellness and recreational programs and encourage resident participation.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• High school graduate or general equivalency diploma (GED) preferred, but not required.
• Minimum age of 18 preferred.
• Prior clinical or nursing assistant experience preferred.
• Satisfactorily complete yearly department-specific competency testing.
• Maintain a record of continuing education credits annually (minimum of 12 hours required based on state requirements).
• Maintain all department-specific required certifications.
• When applicable, may need a valid driver's license and auto insurance.

State-Specific Requirements

• Iowa:
• Require Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification with the State Board of Nursing.
• Successful completion of a state-approved Certified Medication Aide/Assistant course once CNA certification is obtained.
• Minnesota:
• Must have nursing assistant certification.
• Must have completed the 75-hour course.
• Must be registered with the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.
• Successful completion of a state-approved Trained Medication Assistant course.
• North Dakota:
• Require Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification with the State Board of Nursing.
• Successful completion of a state-approved Certified Medication Aide/Assistant course once CNA certification is obtained.
• If working in an Assisted Living or Basic Care facility, Medication Assistant I certification required.
• If working in a skilled nursing facility, Medication Assistant II certification is required.
• South Dakota:
• Must successfully complete the state-approved Certified Medication Aide (CMA) course.
• CMA certification must be maintained with the State Board of Nursing.
• For all Good Samaritan Society Locations:
• Must have the state-required certified/trained medication aide certification (CMA or TMA).
• Assumed prerequisite: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification prior to attaining TMA/CMA.

Job Details

• Location: Watertown, SD
• Shift: Evening
• Schedule: Part-time
• Weekly Hours: 20.00
• Starting Rate: $18.50 - $28.00
• Sign-on Bonus: $1500